The Criminal Court has increased the remand of Mohamed Nizam, 45, who is facing murder charges for allegedly killing Bangladeshi citizen, Mohamed Liton, 35.

Mohamed Nizam, 45, Manaaru, GDh. Thinadhoo and Bangladeshi citizen Mohamed Liton, 35, was reported as missing on December 28th. The fuel barge that they both were on was found adrift near the airport, and neither of them was present onboard. Nizam was later spotted in Male' City, and was subsequently arrested by the Police in a guesthouse in the city.

He was arrested on the suspicion of murder.

As per the Prosecutor General, it is believed that Nizam had killed Liton by pushing him into the ocean near the Kaafu Galufalhu area. It is alleged that the murder took place between 7:00 to 8:00pm on the night of December 28th, 2022.

The state is pressing a total of three charges on Nizam including intentional murder. The remaining charges are for theft and Diamorphine trafficking. If Nizam is found guilty of all three charges, he will be facing a jail term of over 35 years.

The charge of theft on Nizam comes after he had stolen over MVR 51,000 belonging to Liton stored aboard the barge. The Diamorphine trafficking charge came after 3.2 grams of Diamorphine was found in his residence during a search.

The PGO noted that it is likely that the Diamorphine was purchased with the money he had stolen from the barge.